ICMSA respond to Dutch Minister’s call for ‘banning’ of live calve trade – “This is not a unilateral decision for any Member State”

Commenting on the reports, ICMSA Livestock Committee Chairperson, Des Morrison, said that the fundamental point was that the trade within the EU was absolutely vital, operated to the highest international standards and could not simply be ‘banned’ on any unilateral basis or one person’s opinion.

“As the Dutch Minister acknowledges: any actions of this type can only be implemented at EU level and we’re confident that Ireland and others will not be in agreement.  The fact is that last year, the Netherlands imported 850,000 calves in total which would indicate the size of this market.  Irish calves were a component of those imports and are widely acknowledged as very suitable for the Dutch buyers.  We are absolutely confident in our standards around welfare and transportation and, in fairness, those standards are transparent and acknowledged”, said Mr. Morrison.

“This is not a matter on which any individual Member State can simply decide for or against.  In exactly the same way as the Dutch Minister can articulate her concerns and expect them to be considered by all the 27 others, ICMSA knows that our Minister McConalogue will defend our interests and expect the same consideration from other Member States and from the Commission”, said Mr. Morrison.

Ends    29 October 2020

Des Morrison, 087-2263331

Chairperson, ICMSA Livestock Committee

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press office